We have had her 2 weeks, I have given her 2 baths, and she still scratches. Almost as bad as a dog with fleas. We are worried that her skin will be suffering. She is 1 to 2 years old, and deaf.
2007-01-11 06:47:57 · 10 answers · asked by jeanniehepler 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I agree with the comments here, especially about the over-bathing! My ferrets very rarely get baths: they clean themselves much like cats. There have just been a few occasions when they have gotten very dirty, and then we have bathed them with Four Paws Aloe Vera Ferret Shampoo, to which they have never had a bad reaction.
It is possible they have picked up fleas, and if you suspect this is the case, they can be safely treated with Bayer Advocate Spot-on (the smallest size tube, and just put on a wee squirt and dispose of the rest, as the whole thing is too much for 1 ferret.) This is great because it takes care of fleas, lice, roundworms, heartworms and tapeworms too.
As already stated, you do not really say how much your ferret is scratching, and a certain amount is completely normal. Also, they scratch way more at shedding times, and if conditions in the ferrets new home are different with regard to heat, lighting or both, compared to where she came from, she may have become confused as to the season, and think it is spring shedding time now.
This has happened to my wee girl a couple of times, and also to ferrets belonging to other peeps I have met on the internet. If that is the case you may start to observe some shedding at the tip of her tail, although if this happens on any other part of the body you must see a vet WITHOUT DELAY, as that is usually an indication of adrenal cancer.
I'm not saying your ferret has this, just to keep an eye out for the above symptom, as this is quite a common and very serious disease in ferrets.
I hope your ferret is perfectly healthy and it is just normal ferret itches, just alerting you to some things to watch out for, and hopefully giving some helpful advice for your new pet. Enjoy her: they are the most lovable and fascinating of creatures!
2007-01-12 15:46:54 · answer #1 · answered by meptastic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Ferret only needs a bath every few months really once a YEAR is best, you are drying out her skin. STOP BATHING HER!! Go buy books on Ferrets, they have a lot of them that are pretty good and take her to a vet. Good Luck and Congrats!
2007-01-11 15:28:03 · answer #2 · answered by Danielle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely take her to the vet. Where did you rescue her from? Have you seen flees? I've had ferrets for 12 years. I've never had a severe scratching problem though. Thats why I'm wondering if it's flees. Or possibly a bad diet. What did the previos owner feed it? Try Marshalls ferret food
2007-01-11 15:24:04 · answer #3 · answered by gizmo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please do not bathe her anymore!!! Ferrets should not be bathed very often and then ONLY with approved shampoos which can be found in your local pet store. My ferrets go through stages of scratching, caused by dry heat in the house. Their skin needs their natural oils. Have you taken her to the vet for a check-up? If she isn't up to date with her shots, she needs to go and you can then voice your concern to the vet about her scratching. Also, make sure your vet is well versed on the treatment of ferrets...they can be very high maintence and expensive....but so worth it!!! I recommend Ferrets for Dummies...great resource book!!!
2007-01-11 15:28:39 · answer #4 · answered by georgiapeach363 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does she scratch everytime she gets up from a nap? Or just all the time, cuz ferrets naturally itch. If you have her on a flea treatment (biospot for cats), and she itches even more then after she wakes up or like stops every two mintues then take her to a vet, but if it is just about once every ten-twenty min. don't worry they do that. Just like if you scruff them they yawn, and back up to poop. It is just a fuzzy thing. I have two and they get bathed once a week and just naturally itch. Even if you bathe her once a month she will still itch. Just bathe her to keep her clean and rinse thourghly. You will be fine and congrats.
2007-01-11 17:34:41 · answer #5 · answered by maximus 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Excessive bathing can cause dry skin for a ferret. If your going to bathe her, bathe her with baby shampoo and maybe twice a month. It will help.
2007-01-14 23:54:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to be very care full of what kinds of cleaners, perfumes, air fresheners that you use around your house. Cleaners are very toxic to small animals and can cause all kinds of problems, including itching. They can even die from the fumes of ordinary cleaning products. Also bathing her to often can dry the skin and make her itch. Use an gentle oatmeal shampoo works best.
2007-01-11 15:35:28 · answer #7 · answered by jogi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
talk to your vet , research the net , get all info you can about this problem see if you vet might have some special shampoo for ferrets also check with the pet store for books on ferrets care hope it gets to feeling better
2007-01-11 15:21:59 · answer #8 · answered by sassy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe you should try going to the vet and get your ferret "checked out" to see what is the matter and/or why is she scratching so much.
2007-01-11 15:02:41 · answer #9 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
STOP BATHING HER!!! it irritates their skin and stimilates it to produce oils that make her stink worse, too. my ferrets are almost three, and have only had 1 bath ever, and that was only because they got dirty. Hope she does better! If they get dirty, its ok. But otherwise, don't bathe her at all
2007-01-11 14:59:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋